{ACT before 6-5-09}: Two Simple Steps to Save Lions, Leopards, Bears, Wolves, Other Predators
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Judy Reed
May 31, 2009, 1:19:32 AM5/31/09
to AnimalVoicesNews, AnimalVoi...@googlegroups.com, ch...@coloradohumanevoters.org, Topekaanimaltalk, helptheanimals, Marijo Gillis, Karen Dawn, Rescuers, ahimsa, Leda Huta, Endangered Species Coalition, AR-News
URGENT: Please sign Big Wildlife's letter below as instructed and return it to Brian Vincent <br...@bigwildlife.org>. Contact information for EBay is also below for your own letters to protest the sale of hunted-animal "trophies." Please cross post.
Deadline to sign onto letter: Friday, June 5, 2009
Judy.
----------
From: Brian Vincent <br...@bigwildlife.org>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 11:18:45 -0700
To: Brian Vincent <br...@bigwildlife.org>
Subject: Two Simple Steps to Save Lions, Leopards, Bears, Wolves, Other Predators
ACTION ALERT
TAKE TWO SIMPLE STEPS TO SAVE WOLVES, BEARS, LEOPARDS, LIONS
1) Sign onto Big Wildlife letter to eBay urging the company to stop selling trophy hunts of carnivores
2) Contact eBay directly to urge the company to ban trophy hunt sales
Scroll down for more details
In February, Big Wildlife <http://bigwildlife.org/> , Alaska Wildlife Alliance <http://www.akwildlife.org/> , and Raincoast <http://www.raincoast.org/> Conservation <http://www.raincoast.org/> urged eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and other predators on its website. (Scroll down to end of alert to see trophy hunting items recently posted on eBay.) The online auction website regularly permits postings of guided hunts of carnivores throughout the world. Unfortunately, last week, we received a letter from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, informing us that the company had no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts. (Read Los Angeles Times story, eBay <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/05/ebay-will-continue-to-allow-postings-of-guided-trophy-hunts.html> Will Continue to Allow Postings of Guided Trophy Hunts <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/05/ebay-will-continue-to-allow-postings-of-guided-trophy-hunts.html> .)
TWO EASY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO STOP eBAY'S TROPHY HUNTS:
Step 1.) Sign onto Big Wildlife letter to eBay:
Big Wildlife is urging groups and individuals to add their names to a letter we've drafted to eBay (see letter below). To include your name to Big Wildlife's letter, please send the information below to Brian Vincent at br...@bigwildlife.org. Brian will then add your name to our sign-on letter. Big Wildlife will send the final letter to eBay on June 5.
Information to send to br...@bigwildlife.org to add you name to sign-on letter:
Deadline to sign onto letter: Friday, June 5, 2009
Big Wildlife sign on-letter:
Dear Mr. Donahoe:
We, the undersigned, urge eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and other large predators on its website. As you are aware, in February the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Big Wildlife, and Raincoast Conservation wrote to you requesting that your company ban such trophy sales. We were deeply disappointed to learn from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, that the company has no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts.
In a May 5 letter to the wildlife groups, Mr. Cohen wrote:
"While these decisions are never easy for us to make, the conclusion to this broad decision-making process is that we will not be expanding the scope of hunting experiences prohibited at this time. eBay is an open marketplace based on the principle that anyone can buy or sell just about anything, as long as those sales comply with applicable laws and our policies..."
Mr. Cohen also clarified that eBay has refused to post the sale of items the company and the general public find "offensive." For example, Mr. Cohen wrote, "Nazi paraphernalia is not only offensive to millions of people but much of it is illegal to possess and sale in Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. So eBay decided years ago to prohibit the sale of most Nazi items within our 'Offensive Material" policy. This policy also gives us the direction to remove items'when the item or description graphically portrays violence or victims of violence and lacks substantial social, artistic, or political value.'"
Expansive hunting of top predators such as lions, leopards, wolves, and bears ignores the importance these species play in natural systems. As "keystone species," they help maintain ecological integrity and preserve species diversity. The disappearance of carnivores triggers the loss of other species and the intricate connections among the remaining residents begin to unravel. Most of these species face growing threats from habitat destruction, aggressive lethal "management," and poaching. Trophy hunters target the largest and most healthy animals, disrupting the intricate social structures of predators and eliminating those individuals who are most critical to sustaining viable populations.
In addition, trophy hunting of carnivores is unethical, cruel, and unnecessary. It is important to note that hunters kill these animals simply for "sport" and for a trophy head and hide, not for subsistence. Some of the methods used by trophy hunters and included in some of the eBay sales are especially barbaric. For example, a number of eBay postings advertise using hounds to chase bears and cougars and placing bait to lure lions, bears, and wolves.
Again, we urge eBay to end its practice of selling these types of trophy hunting opportunities. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Big Wildlife will add your name here along with other cosigners
Step 2.) Contact eBay directly and urge the company to immediately stop posting sales of trophy hunts of carnivores including lions, leopards, bears, wolves, coyotes, and other predators:
Ebay employees to contact:
Jack Christin, eBay Senior Regulatory Counsel
Phone: 408-376-5145
Cell: 408-679-3621
Email: jchr...@ebay.com
Terri Deanzo, eBay, Office of the President
Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Deanzo.")
Email: cs...@ebay.com
Amy Skoczlas-Cole, eBay's Global Citizenship Group
Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Skoczlas.")
Email: askocz...@ebay.com
SOME RECENTLY POSTED ITEMS ON eBay (Click highlighted text to go to eBay posting):
" <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-MAILE-LION-HUNT-24-999_W0QQitemZ390045804571QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045804571&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1> Africa Dangerous Game Maile Lion Hunt: <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-MAILE-LION-HUNT-24-999_W0QQitemZ390045804571QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045804571&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1> This auction price of $12,500 is the 50% deposit required to book the hunt the remaing 50% will be due on arrival, which is $12,500. The main difference between the different Lions is the size of the mane. The more expensive Lions have bigger black manes while the ones with less pronounced manes cost less. This is all based on good genes."
" <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-LEOPARD-HUNT-16-999_W0QQitemZ390045794935QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045794935&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C> Africa Dangerous Game Leopard Hunt: Dreamin of having a leopard trophy on your wall, dream no more. We could help you with leopard hunting in South Africa...African leopard hunting is usually done by baiting with freshly killed antelope and other prey species. African leopards may also be hunted by tracking. Some African leopards are hunted after being spotted by a hunting party on safari. Once a leopard is spotted it can be tracked and taken by the hunter. Some countries in Africa currently allow leopards to be hunted with dogs and this has become a popular and effective way of hunting them." Price: $8,500.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/ONTARIO-TIMBER-WOLF-HUNT-NEAR-100-OPP-ON-http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390045814530&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=390026932972&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refw> Ontario Timber Wolf Hunt, Near 100 Opp on Wolf: The hunt is a real hunting adventure! Near 100% opportunity on timber wolf, we hunt over bait in a heated treestand...Choose any weapon.² Price: $699.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-ALBERTA-WOLF-HUNT-100-OPP-HUNT-OVER-http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390046370978&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=390027588479&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refw> 2009 Alberta Wolf Hunt, 100% Opp, Hunt Over Bait: We¹re overrun with wolves, we have trophy wolves.² Price: $1,199.00.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-B-C-SPRING-BLACK-BEAR-HUNT-WITH-HOUNDS_W0QQitemZ390045858864QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045858864&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%> 2009 Spring Black Bear Hunt With Hounds: Price Includes 2 Bears. We hunt Black Bears with hounds, hunters have the opportunity to hunt black bears or the desirable colour phased bear in brown, blonde or cinnamon tones." Price: $3,999.00
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/ALASKA-SPRING-or-SUMMER-GRIZZLY-BEAR-HUNT-5-899_W0QQitemZ390045843910QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045843910&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%> Alaska Spring or Summer Grizzly Bear Hunt: "Wow Fall Sale, Only $5899, That's Over $7,000 in Savings. "
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vincent at br...@bigwildlife.org
*NOTE: While Big Wildlife is opposed to all trophy hunting of wildlife, we are focused primarily on protecting top, at-risk carnivore species. We do, however, support other campaigns by animal rights groups against eBay.
--
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BIG WILDLIFE'S WEBSITE AT: www.bigwildlife.org <http://www.bigwildlife.org>
Big Wildife is a project of the Earth Island Institute. Visit Earth Island at: www.earthisland.org <http://www.earthisland.org>
"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men."
-- Leonardo Da Vinci
"One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds."
-- Aldo Leopold
Deadline to sign onto letter: Friday, June 5, 2009
Judy.
----------
From: Brian Vincent <br...@bigwildlife.org>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 11:18:45 -0700
To: Brian Vincent <br...@bigwildlife.org>
Subject: Two Simple Steps to Save Lions, Leopards, Bears, Wolves, Other Predators
ACTION ALERT
TAKE TWO SIMPLE STEPS TO SAVE WOLVES, BEARS, LEOPARDS, LIONS
1) Sign onto Big Wildlife letter to eBay urging the company to stop selling trophy hunts of carnivores2) Contact eBay directly to urge the company to ban trophy hunt sales
Scroll down for more details
In February, Big Wildlife <http://bigwildlife.org/> , Alaska Wildlife Alliance <http://www.akwildlife.org/> , and Raincoast <http://www.raincoast.org/> Conservation <http://www.raincoast.org/> urged eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and other predators on its website. (Scroll down to end of alert to see trophy hunting items recently posted on eBay.) The online auction website regularly permits postings of guided hunts of carnivores throughout the world. Unfortunately, last week, we received a letter from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, informing us that the company had no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts. (Read Los Angeles Times story, eBay <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/05/ebay-will-continue-to-allow-postings-of-guided-trophy-hunts.html> Will Continue to Allow Postings of Guided Trophy Hunts <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/05/ebay-will-continue-to-allow-postings-of-guided-trophy-hunts.html> .)
TWO EASY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO STOP eBAY'S TROPHY HUNTS:
Step 1.) Sign onto Big Wildlife letter to eBay:
Big Wildlife is urging groups and individuals to add their names to a letter we've drafted to eBay (see letter below). To include your name to Big Wildlife's letter, please send the information below to Brian Vincent at br...@bigwildlife.org. Brian will then add your name to our sign-on letter. Big Wildlife will send the final letter to eBay on June 5.
Information to send to br...@bigwildlife.org to add you name to sign-on letter:
Your name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
URL:
Deadline to sign onto letter: Friday, June 5, 2009
Big Wildlife sign on-letter:
Dear Mr. Donahoe:
We, the undersigned, urge eBay to halt the sale of trophy hunts of lions, leopards, bears, wolves, and other large predators on its website. As you are aware, in February the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, Big Wildlife, and Raincoast Conservation wrote to you requesting that your company ban such trophy sales. We were deeply disappointed to learn from eBay Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Tod Cohen, that the company has no interest in halting its sales of trophy hunts.
In a May 5 letter to the wildlife groups, Mr. Cohen wrote:
"While these decisions are never easy for us to make, the conclusion to this broad decision-making process is that we will not be expanding the scope of hunting experiences prohibited at this time. eBay is an open marketplace based on the principle that anyone can buy or sell just about anything, as long as those sales comply with applicable laws and our policies..."
Mr. Cohen also clarified that eBay has refused to post the sale of items the company and the general public find "offensive." For example, Mr. Cohen wrote, "Nazi paraphernalia is not only offensive to millions of people but much of it is illegal to possess and sale in Germany, Austria, Italy, and France. So eBay decided years ago to prohibit the sale of most Nazi items within our 'Offensive Material" policy. This policy also gives us the direction to remove items'when the item or description graphically portrays violence or victims of violence and lacks substantial social, artistic, or political value.'"
Expansive hunting of top predators such as lions, leopards, wolves, and bears ignores the importance these species play in natural systems. As "keystone species," they help maintain ecological integrity and preserve species diversity. The disappearance of carnivores triggers the loss of other species and the intricate connections among the remaining residents begin to unravel. Most of these species face growing threats from habitat destruction, aggressive lethal "management," and poaching. Trophy hunters target the largest and most healthy animals, disrupting the intricate social structures of predators and eliminating those individuals who are most critical to sustaining viable populations.
In addition, trophy hunting of carnivores is unethical, cruel, and unnecessary. It is important to note that hunters kill these animals simply for "sport" and for a trophy head and hide, not for subsistence. Some of the methods used by trophy hunters and included in some of the eBay sales are especially barbaric. For example, a number of eBay postings advertise using hounds to chase bears and cougars and placing bait to lure lions, bears, and wolves.
Again, we urge eBay to end its practice of selling these types of trophy hunting opportunities. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Big Wildlife will add your name here along with other cosigners
Step 2.) Contact eBay directly and urge the company to immediately stop posting sales of trophy hunts of carnivores including lions, leopards, bears, wolves, coyotes, and other predators:
Ebay employees to contact:
Jack Christin, eBay Senior Regulatory Counsel
Phone: 408-376-5145
Cell: 408-679-3621
Email: jchr...@ebay.com
Terri Deanzo, eBay, Office of the President
Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Deanzo.")
Email: cs...@ebay.com
Amy Skoczlas-Cole, eBay's Global Citizenship Group
Phone: 408-376-7400 (After dialing number, you will hear a recording. Press "0." An automated voice message will ask you to spell the person's last name. Key in "Skoczlas.")
Email: askocz...@ebay.com
SOME RECENTLY POSTED ITEMS ON eBay (Click highlighted text to go to eBay posting):
" <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-MAILE-LION-HUNT-24-999_W0QQitemZ390045804571QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045804571&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1> Africa Dangerous Game Maile Lion Hunt: <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-MAILE-LION-HUNT-24-999_W0QQitemZ390045804571QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045804571&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1> This auction price of $12,500 is the 50% deposit required to book the hunt the remaing 50% will be due on arrival, which is $12,500. The main difference between the different Lions is the size of the mane. The more expensive Lions have bigger black manes while the ones with less pronounced manes cost less. This is all based on good genes."
" <http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-DANGEROUS-GAME-LEOPARD-HUNT-16-999_W0QQitemZ390045794935QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045794935&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C> Africa Dangerous Game Leopard Hunt: Dreamin of having a leopard trophy on your wall, dream no more. We could help you with leopard hunting in South Africa...African leopard hunting is usually done by baiting with freshly killed antelope and other prey species. African leopards may also be hunted by tracking. Some African leopards are hunted after being spotted by a hunting party on safari. Once a leopard is spotted it can be tracked and taken by the hunter. Some countries in Africa currently allow leopards to be hunted with dogs and this has become a popular and effective way of hunting them." Price: $8,500.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/ONTARIO-TIMBER-WOLF-HUNT-NEAR-100-OPP-ON-http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390045814530&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=390026932972&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refw> Ontario Timber Wolf Hunt, Near 100 Opp on Wolf: The hunt is a real hunting adventure! Near 100% opportunity on timber wolf, we hunt over bait in a heated treestand...Choose any weapon.² Price: $699.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-ALBERTA-WOLF-HUNT-100-OPP-HUNT-OVER-http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390046370978&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=390027588479&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refw> 2009 Alberta Wolf Hunt, 100% Opp, Hunt Over Bait: We¹re overrun with wolves, we have trophy wolves.² Price: $1,199.00.
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-B-C-SPRING-BLACK-BEAR-HUNT-WITH-HOUNDS_W0QQitemZ390045858864QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045858864&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%> 2009 Spring Black Bear Hunt With Hounds: Price Includes 2 Bears. We hunt Black Bears with hounds, hunters have the opportunity to hunt black bears or the desirable colour phased bear in brown, blonde or cinnamon tones." Price: $3,999.00
³ <http://cgi.ebay.com/ALASKA-SPRING-or-SUMMER-GRIZZLY-BEAR-HUNT-5-899_W0QQitemZ390045843910QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item390045843910&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%> Alaska Spring or Summer Grizzly Bear Hunt: "Wow Fall Sale, Only $5899, That's Over $7,000 in Savings. "
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Vincent at br...@bigwildlife.org
*NOTE: While Big Wildlife is opposed to all trophy hunting of wildlife, we are focused primarily on protecting top, at-risk carnivore species. We do, however, support other campaigns by animal rights groups against eBay.
--
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BIG WILDLIFE'S WEBSITE AT: www.bigwildlife.org <http://www.bigwildlife.org>
Big Wildife is a project of the Earth Island Institute. Visit Earth Island at: www.earthisland.org <http://www.earthisland.org>
"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look on the murder of men."
-- Leonardo Da Vinci
"One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds."
-- Aldo Leopold
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